Barksdale bomb wing members at Minot AFB for exercise

April 24, 2009

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE The 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base began a combined exercise at the Minot base with the 2nd Bomb Wing from Barksdale AFB, La., Wednesday.

The nuclear operational readiness exercise is a 10-day event with simultaneous coordination between both installations, Minot base officials said.

"It is a field-level demonstration of our commitment to the nuclear enterprise," said Col. Parker Northrup, commander of the 5th Operations Group at the Minot base.

One of the major objectives is to ensure "there are no seams between the two (bases)," said Northrup, with the over-arching goal of "(providing) a training opportunity to ensure we can get the mission done."

More than 3,500 personnel are involved in the exercise.

Col. Joel Westa is commander of the 5th Bomb Wing. Col. Steven Basham, former 5th Bomb Wing vice commander, became commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing last month. Both wings have the B-52 bomber.